Edo 2020: Abstain From Acts That Could Lead To Rescheduling of Election - Nehikhare

By Simeon OSAJIE

Edo State Chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has say again its readiness to participate in the September 19 gubernatorial election as scheduled by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party equally called on  the opposition party, APC to abstain from acts that could lead to the  rescheduling of the election.

Edo State PDP Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, in a press briefing in Benin  accused the APC of engineering a strategy that would either lead to rescheduling of the election or a declaration of a state of emergency in the State.

 "The APC knows that they have lost the election. We condemned this tactics of irresponsibility whereby nothing happened and the APC want to create contrive violence throughout the State.

"We want the election to hold and we will also like to remind INEC that  the successes of the election is 100 percent in their hands. For us in the PDP, we are committed to violent free and fair election as part of our commitment to Edo people." 

But  in a swift reaction, APC State Publicity Secretary  Mr. Chris Azebamwan described the allegation of  contriving violence with the sole aim of having the election rescheduled as figment of PDP penchant for violence.

He recounted that 'at the inauguration of the 17 members of the Edo State House of Assembly, seven thugs were arrested by the police at the Assembly Complex and later made confessional statement that they are working for Governor Godwin Obaseki.

"At Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area, a suspected thug, named Holyman by security men. He is a close associate of the deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu. These are unverifiable facts and that link PDP to violence. 

"Students of history could testify that APC has no history of violence. In the first and second elections of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, there were no reports of violence. It is Governor Obaseki and the PDP who introduced violence into Edo political landscape.

"Our candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is presently busy campaigning and selling his SIMPLE agenda to Edo people. Why should we want the election postponed? All the indices point to overwhelming victory for APC."

THE STRESSED MINORITY OF THE ESAN PEOPLE AND THE UNSTRESSED TRUTH AND REALITY OF THEIR POLITICAL STRENGTH

By Enaholo Abel USIALE

This election has not just shown us the greedy politicians among our midst, it has further given us the opportunity to know how dumb certain persons can be when it comes to political thought and/or calculations.

Politically, the dumbest set of persons in Edo state as we speak are those stressing on Esan as Minority and claiming their votes does not matter, like seriously? Now, just in case you are not aware, Esan is the second largest tribe in Edo state after Benin. Edo North is not a tribe, Edo North is a Senatorial District of about 5 tribes which include Etsako which is 3 Local Government, Owan which is 2 Local Government and Igara which is within 1 Local Government. In fact, in Akoko-Edo alone, there are about 40 languages with many tribes. So, what I do not understand is if a tribe of 3 Local Government or 2 has become more than a tribe of 5 Local Government. Why calculating it in form of District and not the true nature which is tribe.

Today in Edo state, it is only Edo south and Edo central that can in other words be called tribe because the whole of the former is the tribe called Benin while the whole of the later is the tribe called Esan. While the Benins speak just one language, the Esan as well speak one language, but in the case of our brothers from Edo North, they do not, there are about 50 languages in Edo north and very many number of tribes.

Now, let us come to population. It is true that the Edo south is more in population. But, you will agree with me that in the whole of Edo state, among all the tribes from Edo state, Esan has the highest population of her people in Benin and even Edo North. These people loves adventure so much, and just like the Igbo people, they are just everywhere you go, especially in Benin where every nooks and cranny is filled with a high number of Esan people saying khara, bhadoh, onegbe, onuwabhor, owalen, egbe-fuere, ofure, owofure, dijie, aesan, enibhokhan-bho, etc. Many of these people have houses in Benin, some have lived in Benin for too many years and even gave birth to all of their children in Benin. In Esanland as we speak, you hardly, I repeat for you to quote me anywhere, you hardly find a home without more than one of their family members living in Benin. In some cases, in one home, you discover that about 5 to 10 persons resides in Benin where they do business and other things. Very many of these people votes in Benin. It is said that these set of Esan people constitute about 25% of Edo south population, you know what that means.

One very good and/or surprising thing about Esan people is that in so many aspect of life, they think alike, whether or not they visit home. These include Politics. The political language spoken by an Uromi, Ekpoma, Irrua, Igueben, Ubiaja man etc, in Esanland becomes same spoken by Uromi, Ekpoma, Irrua, Igueben and Ubiaja man in any Local Government in Benin. Their political unity and cooperation is second to non, very surprising and at the same time wonderful. If the Esan people in Esanland are following PDP today, know that it is what the Esan people in Benin and every other parts of the state will be doing, it is like what is agreed upon and over 90% of Esan people in Benin follows the train with all form of enthusiasm.

So, when some dumb fellows are coming to social media to disgrace themselves, I start wondering whether they are with us in 21st century and in the contemporary Edo state politics or still in the old parochial days of no proper political reasoning.

Get it and get it clear today, politically, after Edo south in population, it is Esan, the 25% of Esan in Benin are part of the Edo south votes, no single tribe of Edo origin has that population. If with the recent population of voters released by the Independent National Electoral Council (INEC) and Edo North is just about 2,000 voters more than Edo central votes, without the 25% of Edo central votes in Benin and someone is coming to social Media after seeing his massive rejection in Edo central, to tell you that the votes of Edo central is minority, can't you see that their village people are after them with all kinds of weapon. 

Edo 2020: PDP Tasks INEC, Security Agents on Free, Fair, Credible Election

By Simeon OSAJIE

Edo State Chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), State Police Command and other security agents to brace up the challenges of insecurity, violence, attacks in the State ahead of the September 19 Gubernatorial  election.

State PDP Chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemin, in a press briefing in Benin City  said the call has become necessary following gross absence of arrest of persons in connection with what he termed senseless attacks of party members and their properties across the state.

 "It will amaze you to know that not single person has been arrested for these senseless attacks on our members. If not for the strong appeal from our Governor, His Excellency, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, you can imagine what would have become of our state if retaliation was carried out by our members."

He said the party candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki and his running mate, Comrade Philip Shaibu commands 80% of the peoples votes while APC and others are left with 20% judging from results of multiple independent opinion poll conducted ahead of the governorship election.

"Flowing from the above, we hereby demand, in the strongest terms possible, that INEC and the security agencies carry out their statutory responsibilities based on the oath of office they swore to, which is to be neutral." 

"We call on the parents of all the ad-hoc staff that will be engaged in this election, to call their wards to order. Edo people deserve a free, fair, credible and peaceful election, and nobody, whether in the security agencies or in INEC will be allowed to subvert the will of the people."

"However, anyone who deviates from this sacred oath which he or she willingly swore to, knows that we will ensure that the most extreme hand of the is meted out to them."

Dr. Aiziegbemin said, "after the inauguration of the Edo 2020 Campaign Council, the Committee immediately swung into action with our candidate, Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Comrade Phillip Shaibu, the king of the youths. It was an awesome experience. It was electrifying. Edo State citizens came out in their numbers to catch a glimpse of our candidate and to hear our message. We are indeed humbled by this show of love and support for our candidate. We promise we will not take this for granted.

"We went about our campaign with peace and love. Unfortunately, we have to put it on record that the APC made feeble attempts to disrupt our campaigns. We have catalogued, as you can see on the board to my right, the senseless attacks on our party members and their properties. We challenge the APC, or any other party for that matter, to show such evidence of their members being attacked. 

"On behalf of the State Working Committee and the entire membership of the PDP in Edo State, I thank His Excellency and our candidate,  Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, his Deputy, Comrade Phillip Shaibu, in whom we have implicit confidence, the Chairman of the Campaign Council, Chief Dan Orbih, the Director General, Osarodion Ogie, the Deputy Director General, Engr. Gideon Ikhine, the Senatorial Coordinators and their deputies, for discharging the assignments given to them by the party, most honourably and efficiently. We owe you a world of gratitude. 

Edo 2020: Esan South-East PDP Pledges on Total Victory

By Simeon OSAJIE

Ahead of September 19th 2020 Governorship election, the People's Democratic Party Campaign Council, Esan South East chapter held a sensitive meeting  to strategise towards the re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki/Comrade Philip Shaibu. 

The leaders were resolute in their determination to ensure total victory for the People's Democratic Party come September 19th 2020 Governorship election. 

The Esan South-East Director General of the PDP Campaign Council, Hon. Sunny Osezuwa Ojiezele thanked the people for coming and urged everyone to mobilize massively during the forthcoming units campaign  in the coming days and to remained committed to the re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki/Comrade Philip Shaibu in the coming elections.

The meeting which was held at the instance of Hon. Sunny Osezuwa Ojiezele, member Edo State House of Assembly and Director General, Esan South-East PDP Campaign Council has in attendance notable party stalwarts including Hon. Andrew Akhabue, Hon Bobby Palmer, Hon Ehidiamen amongst others. 

Oshiomhole, APC Colluding with Dr. Mustapha Lecky To Rig Edo Election

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Edo State Chapter of the People's Democratic Party, (PDP) has alleged that the former national chairman of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) Adams Oshiomhole has given script to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioner, Dr. Mustapha Lecky to play on how to rig the September 19th governorship election in favour of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, APC candidate.

Chris Nehikhare, State Publicity of the Edo State chapter of the PDP made the allegation at press briefing in Benin City. He said the party decided to bring the alleged evil plot to the notice of Edo people, Nigerians and all lovers of democracy the APC's plans to subvert the will of Edo electorate in the 19 September governorship election. 

"Dr. Lecky, working with Oshiomhole and the candidate of the APC, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, is disrupting the process for the engagement of the various Ad-hoc staff to be used by INEC in the polls.

"The time-honoured tradition which mandates that all political parties involved in the electioneering process submit names of persons to be used as Ad-hoc staff is being abused by Dr. Lecky and his collaborators in the APC.

"Dr. Lecky has skewed the process to ensure it favours one party, whereby the final list released for training of the ad-hoc staff has a ratio of 10:1, between the APC and all other parties," he said.

The PDP Publicity Secretary also alleged that, "what has transpired in the recruitment of these persons is such that the Polling Officers (PO), who are supposed to be serving National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members have been changed and Oshiomhole and Ize-Iyamu are nominating people, most of whom are not youth corps members, to fill these positions to actualize their plans to rig the election."

"The Supervisory Polling Officers (SPO) are also being engaged by Dr. Lecky to serve the interest of the APC.

"For the Collation Officers (CO), Dr. Lecky has been influencing the engagement of persons, with personal ties with Oshiomhole and Ize-Iyamu, to rig the election in favour of the APC during the polls and undermine the electoral process."

Dr. Lecky, he said, "is working within the INEC to get its officials to cheat the system."

Nehikhare emphasised that "it is unfortunate the APC has lost the hope of getting elected through the ballot and are working with Dr. Lecky and others in the INEC to subvert the will of the people."

The PDP SPS Edo called on the INEC leadership to review the process of selecting these officials and request that Dr. Mustafa Lecky excuse himself from the process as his activities have been revealed to be threatening the integrity of the process, which will taint the outcome of the election. 

"While we have confidence in the INEC as an institution, we are calling on them to rein in Dr. Lecky and his likes, in order to have an election that would uphold the will of the people and one that they can be proud of". 

Reacting to the allegations in a telephone interview with journalists, Dr. Mustapha Leeky denied the allegations in it's entirety saying he's not a party to it.

Oshiomhole’s Convoy Accident: Allegation of Assassination Preposterous, irresponsible – PDP

...says he should be questions over his convoy’s frequent crashes.

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Edo State Chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has described as preposterous and irresponsible, the claim that Tuesday’s accident involving the convoy of former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was an assassination attempt.

State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, who spoke to journalists on behalf of the party’s Campaign Council, on Wednesday in Benin City, said: “The claim is childish, irresponsible and preposterous, and if anything, Oshiomhole should be answering questions over his convoy’s frequent involvement in road crashes that have claimed the lives of about ten persons since 2008.”

Nehikhare noted that “if the APC is sure about the intent of the truck driver that reportedly rammed into Oshiomhole’s convoy, even before investigation is carried out by the relevant agencies of government, the APC should also know who the assassin is, the sponsor, if any, and should be courageous enough to name them.”

The PDP explained that “before the latest accident that claimed the lives of two security personnel and left others severely injured, on Tuesday at Oluku, Benin City, there had been at least three other fatal accidents involving Oshiomhole’s convoy, or is the APC saying that all the crashes were assassination attempts?”

PDP SPS said: “In December 2008, five persons, including the chief press secretary to former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Mr. Chris Nwachukwu and the Personal Assistant, Mr Greg Haruna, lost their lives in a motor accident along Auchi Road.

“According to reports, the accident occurred at Agbede in Etsako West local government area of the state when the Kia Cerato official car of the CPS had a head-on collision with a mini-bus belonging to the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Delta State Chapter, while on their way to Auchi for a friend's wedding ceremony.

“April 28, 2012 was another day of mourning for families of four journalists attached to the Edo State Government House. Three of the journalists; Olatunji Jacob and George Okosun, both of the Independent Television, as well as Fidelis Ohani, a camera man of the African Independent Television (AIT), lost their lives while Governor Adams Oshiomhole escaped death after a tipper rammed into the former governor's convoy along Warrake Road in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state. There is another version of this story that says that Oshiomhole, who was drunk, actually drove the vehicle and rammed into the truck,” the PDP said.

The party added: “Reports said six other journalists in the press bus and security operatives attached to the governor sustained various degrees of injuries while a photo journalist of the state-owned Observer Newspaper, Mr. David Acha, and a driver, were in coma.

“In December 2013, Oshiomhole was involved in yet another accident when a bus loaded with plantain rammed into his car. His bullet-proof vehicle was damaged beyond repairs.”

Edo 2020: PDP Alleges Stock Of Arms In Oshiomhole Residence

By Simeon OSAJIE

Edo State People's Democratic Party's leadership has pressed Inspector General of Police, Security Agencies to  beam search light on residence of former National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) over alleged stock of ammos ahead of the September 19 Governorship election.

Edo State PDP Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare who disclosed this to newsmen also supported that the Benin and Iyamho residence of the former APC National Chairman have become cover for criminals and party thugs.

The Edo spokesman similarly  thanked the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Omo N' Oba N' Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare II for his fatherly intervention over what he termed 'the embarrassing situation Edo state has been thrown into using the peace accord he converged with the two major contending governorship candidates of PDP and APC.

"We have credible information and we want the police to execute its search warrant on the residence of Adams Oshiomhole both in Benin and Iyamho. The worst of the attacks has been traced to his residence. Whenever they hit anybody in Edo north senatorial district, their vehicles are seen driving towards the residence of Oshiomhole. No body goes in there to carry out investigation."

Nehikhare equally posited that at no time did the Benin Monarch during the cause of the Peace Accord meeting with the candidates at the palace called for a stop on police investigation on those that have been indicted in all the shootings, attacks on party members

and homes of politicians in the state.

"Edo State  People's Democratic Party (PDP)  also want to say that criminals were at no time given amnesty by that meeting. There was no time it was said that anybody that has been indicted or will be indicted  from investigation by police in all the attacks, shootings in the state should be exempted."

He said the party is proud of Edo State Deputy Governor and running mate to Governor Obaseki,Comrade  Philip Shaibu over the excellence 

jobs he has being doing.

"We encourage him to be on the look out and alert the police of any time he hears information about these criminals who hide under the cover of Oshiomhole residence." 

But in a swift reaction the Media Aids to Oshiomhole, Victor Oshiokpekhai said the former APC National Chairman is currently busy campaigning and selling the Simple Agenda of APC to the people and will not be distracted. "He is not interested in joining issues with the PDP."

"He has no hand in the violence and will never be involve.  Nobody comes to his house at Iyamho with weapons. It is only details that comes in with weapons and everybody who comes in is seriously searched at the gate before entry".

"Shaibu is the one orchestrating violence in Edo State especially in Edo North. He is the one that arms the thugs. All the violence in Edo State is against the APC."

Edo 2020: Ask Your Supporters To Stop Shooting - Oba Ewuare II Urges Candidates

By Simeon OSAJIE

Omo N' Oba N' Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor,  Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin has implored the governorship candidates of the People's Democratic Party, (PDP), Godwin Obaseki and  that of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to ask their supporters to stop shooting in the state.

Oba Ewuare II gave the order during a peace meeting with the governorship candidates in the forthcoming September 19 gubernatorial election in the state in his palace.

The Oba said he decided to summon the peace meeting following the reported cases of violence in the state and that has made it to be in the news for the bad reason.

He said the politicians should emulate the immediate past President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who conceded defeat to President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 Presidential election that eventually put to rest the prediction from the international community that the country was going to disintegrate after the election.

He said it is better for the major political governorship candidates in the forthcoming election to engage in a political debate to reel out their manifestoes to the electorate rather than fighting each other.

According  to him, both parties must talk to their supporters to sheath their swords before, during and after the election to show to the entire world that they can conduct themselves and have a peaceful election.

"This election is almost becoming the worst in the annal of the state following the incessant violence that has characterized the ongoing campaigns in the state.  

"The two major political gladiators in the election must talk to their followers to shun violence and embrace peace before, during and after the election while the governorship candidates must make a commitment towards that," he said.

The Oba however gave the candidates and some of their top members in their entourage opportunity to make some words of commitments.

On his part, Governor Godwin Obaseki said, "as the chief security officer of the state, I already sworn to an oath to protect the lives and property of the people of the state and that I will not do anything short of that."

For Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, he assured the monarch that he would address his followers to maintain peace before, during and after the election, adding that he will not go against his instructions.

Also speaking, former National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun expressed shock on how the whole political crisis in APC degenerated to the present state and promised to work for peace of the state.

For Adams Oshiomhole, the immediate past National Chairman of the APC, he said he was never known for violence, adding that he was the two times governor of the state and that he didn’t get that through the means of violence and that he will not start it when he is campaigning for someone else and moreso not at his old age.

Former Edo PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih commended the monarch for calling for the peace meeting and assured that he will abide by his instructions.

On the soured relationship that has existed between Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Godwin Obaseki, Ewuare II said that he was very disappointed that the cordial relationship that once existed between the current governor, Godwin Obaseki and his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole was strained.

He narrated how Oshiomhole tried to seek his comments on the candidacy of Obaseki while trying to market him but he refused to comment even when Aliko Dangote also tried to wade in.

Obaseki Raised N320Million for Oshiomhole to Become Edo Governor - Shaibu

By Simeon OSAJIE

Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Phillip Shaibu has said that, Governor Godwin Obaseki raised  a whooping sum of N320Million for former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President and former Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole to contest for governorship election in Edo state.

Comrade Shaibu said this yesterday while addressing Etsako West Local Government Area branch of the National Association of Igbo Community, who recently pledged their unalloyed and total support for the re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki/Comrade Philip Shaibu under the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), come 19th September, 2020.

Shaibu said, "It is very out of place and without any sense of honesty, for Oshiomhole to address my governor and I, as ingrates or men he picked from the gutters and made politicians, knowing fully well that I was the one who personally introduced him to Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Hon. Chief Justice Okunega (now late) and Chief Usman Shagadi (of blessed memory), three (3) months to the expiration of his second tenure as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, and finally to Godwin Obaseki during a function in Lagos, wherein I personally brought the issue of Oshiomhole's ability and competence to be governor to the front burner, including how he was having a huge funding challenge, which eventually gave rise to Godwin Obaseki's raising of a whooping sum of N320Million for Oshiomhole.

"Also worthy of mention, is the glaring fact that, I was already the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), before Oshiomhole became NLC President. I personally paid him a courtesy visit and presented an award to him on behalf of the Nigerian Students, as a way of boosting his Curriculum Vitae (CV), he said.

Mix Reactions Trail NBA Splinter Group Emergence

By Simeon OSAJIE

A Benin based Law Attorney, Olayiwola Afolabi said the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) remain one indivisible body, stressing that it is wrong and unconstitutional for some persons parading themselves as splinter body.

A splinter group, under the platform of New Nigerian Bar Association (NNBA) recently emerged from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on the grounds that their interests were no longer taken into consideration.

Bar. Afolabi who spoke with newsmen while setting agenda for the just concluded Edo NBA election which ushered in new elected executive to pilot the affairs of the Association for the next four years, said the splinter group was targeted at promoting  sentiment and ethnicity.

"They are trying to bring about sentiment and ethnicity, it is wrong. The law forbids them from having a splinter body.  There is  no way you can have splinter group because NBA is one. It is for the whole country just like the federal government.

Also speaking, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, J.C. Igbokwe SAN said, the splinter group are just playing and  will soon die a natural death. According to him, the NBA is a statutory body for lawyers in Nigeria and cannot be divided. ”The Nigeria Bar Association  is one and  cannot be divided, it is a statutory body for lawyers in Nigeria. Whatever may be there anger, can be settled amicably, NBA is not divided and nobody can divide NBA. In as much as they have the right to form any association, not the NBA. They are free to have Northern Lawyers Association, we have Eastern Lawyers Association, Midwestern Lawyers Association. The Nigerian Constitution does not permit that, it is a constitutional matter,“ He concluded.

On the contrary, Barrister Dele Igbinedion, former member, Bendel State House of Assembly said members interests would be well protested following the emergence of a splinter.  "In the coming days and months, the agitations to splint NBA will gather momentum."

He described the NBA executive positions as people of merchandize who are more interested in the economy of power than the practical effects of the power on the people.

"It is no secret that the Nigeria Bar Association we have now is no more pursuing the original aims and objectives for which it was set up. It is no more in pursuant of fundamental rights, no longer interested in the administration of justice, issues that are dear to the people or interested in the welfare of members."

He posited that though the law did not permit the existence of a parallel body but that any law that forces people to belong to any association from which they cannot resign runs contrary with the constitutional right to freedom of association.